Icing machine



June 30, 1953 H. o. McLAlN 2,643,522

1cm; MACHINE Filed Feb. 1, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet l IN VEN TOR.

H. O. M LAlN June 30, 1953 ICING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 1, 1950 I N VEN TOR. H270 [d O/VCZQL',

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June 30, 1953 H. o. MOLAIN 2,643,522

ICING MACHINE Filed Feb. 1. 1950 s Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR.

Harald O [Velaa'm H. O. M LAIN ICING MACHINE June 30, 1953 s Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 1. 1950 H. o. MQLAIN ICING momma:

June 30, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 HVVENTDR.

Filed Feb. I; 1950 v. NMN

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H. O. M LAIN ICING MACHINE June 30, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Feb. 1, 1950 INVENTOR. aroZdOJYcZQvw,

Patented June 30, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ICING MACHINE Harold ,0. McLain, Highland Park, Ill.

Application February 1, 1950, Serial No. 141,790

Claims.

The present invention relates generally to improvements in self-propelled or mobile icing machines for the servicing or icing of refrigerator cars or similar vehicles, but more particularly to a device adapted for use in connection with the conventional elevated icing platform so that ice blocks conveyed on andelevated from the platform to the device may be converted into chunked or crushed ice and delivered directly to the bunkers or ice chambers of the refrigerator cars.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved, as well as a self-contained icing machine adapted to move under its own power along a conventional elevated icing platform from where it will receive and elevate ice blocks conveyed therealong from either of two directions of travel of the machine and crushthe ice blocks in suitable size chunks and discharge the ice chunks laterally from the machine in either direction to the ice bunkers of the refrigerator cars on the opposite sides of the platform.

A further object of the invention is toprovide a novel, improved and compact construction of icing machine for the conventional elevated'plat- 2 form in which oppositely disposed and longitudinally extending ice bloc-k transferring mechanisms -or elevating and conveying mechanisms are located on the opposite ends of the machine so that the icing machine may be propelled or operated in either direction of travel on the platform.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved icing machine adapted to be propelled on longitudinally extending tracks on a conventional icing platform in which two longitudinally aligned and oppositely projecting ice blocks elevating and conveying mechanisms are adapted to convey the ice blocks on their narrow side up the elevating and'conveying mechanisms to a centrally located and longitudinally aligned ice breaker and crusher mechanism which crushes the ice into suitable chunks and discharges it into transversely extending and laterally projecting chutes to the bunkers of refrigerator cars located on the opposite sides .of the platform.

These and other objects are accomplished by providing a construction and an arrangement 'of the various parts in'themanner hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. l is a top plan view of a portion of aconventional elevated icing platform showing my improved icing machine mounted thereon; I

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational View .of the same;

Fig. 3 is an end elevational View of the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2 with the longitudinally extending and oppositely disposed elevating and conveying mechanisms removed therefrom for the purpose of clearness;

Fig. .4 is a fragmentary top plan view of the conventional icing platform showing a modified form of my improved icing machine;

Fig. .5 is a side .elevational view of the construction shown in Fig. 4 in which the laterally projectingcrushed ice chutes are removed therefrom for the purpose of clearness;

Fig. '6 is an end elevational view of the modified form shown in'Figs. 4. and 5 with the ice block elevating and conveying mechanism removed therefrom for the purpose of ciearness;

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of a fragmentary portion of a conventional icing platform showing a second modification of an improved icing machine; and

'Fig. 8 is an end elevational View of the modified form shown in Fig. 7.

My improved icing machine in the preferred form shown in Figs. 1, 2 and '3 of the drawings and in the'two modified forms shown in Figs. 4, '5, 6, '7 and -8 of the drawings, is particularly adapted for use in connection with the conventional elevated platform or dock and the three forms in the present invention have special appli cation for receiving and elevating the ice blocks from the conveyor of the conventional platform when the machine is moved in either direction on the platform, thereby dispensing with the necessity of providing two machines of the construction disclosed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 53,105, filed October 6, 1948, now Patent No. 2,587,872, granted March 4:, 1952. All the forms of the present invention are especially suitable for use in connection with conventional type elevated platforms where the ice blocks are conveyed from ice storage plants to a central or intermediate point between the ends of the olepresent invention can-operate in either direction or on either side of the supply point of the elevated platform.

In the preferred form of myinvention, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, the conventional elevated platform is illustrated in fragmentaryform and is generallydesignated by the 3 reference character 16. The platform in this instance comprises briefly the usual supporting post II and transverse spaced apart beams 12. Secured to the transverse beams l2 are longitudinally spaced apart struts I3 to which are secured platform members M. This elevated platform or dock reaches an elevational slightly above the tops of oppositely disposed railway refrigerator cars, generally indicated by the reference characters l5 and I6 located on the opposite sides of and extending parallel to the platform. The platform is provided with the usual two spaced apart ice block guide members l7, between which is a longitudinally extending endless chain conveyor [8 which conveys the ice blocks therealong by means of suitably spaced apart lugs l9. Located longitudinally of the platform adjacent the outer sides thereof are spaced apart tracks on which my mobile icing machine is adapted to be propelled.

My preferred form of icing machine shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, comprises a main frame, generally indicated by the reference character 2|. This main frame comprises two longitudinally extending and laterally spaced apart channel members 22 which have their forward and rear portions rigidly secured to vertically extending spaced apart pairs of posts 23 and 24. The lower ends of these posts 23 and 24 are provided with oppositely positioned horizontal channel members or bearing, brackets 25. Journaled in suitable bearings between the channel brackets 25 are grooved wheels 26 which are adapted to engage the tracks 20 on the opposite sides of the platform. The opposite main frame members 22 are held in spaced apart braced relation by transverse channel members 21 on which is supported an operators platform, generally indicated by the referencecharacter 26. Extending between the inner posts 23 and 24 are longitudinally extending horizontal supplemental frame members 29. Pivotally secured to the opposite frame members 26 by means of oppositely disposed bearing brackets 30 are crushed ice chutes 3 I. The chutes 3! on the opposite sides of the icing machine may be adjusted from the full line position to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 3 by cables 32 which have their lower ends attached, as shown at 33, to the upper ends of the arms or brace members 34 which, in turn, are secured to the chutes 3|. The other ends of the cables 32 are trained about windlasses 35 which are suitably supported on longitudinally extending horizontal channel members 36. Each of the windlasses is provided with a suitable electric motor, generally indicated by the reference character 31 for operating the same. Each of the horizontal channel members 36 is supported on the top ends of two spaced apart vertical members 38 which have their lower ends rigidly secured to the longitudinally extending channel members 32. Each of the motors 35 is provided with separate switch control, generally indicated by the reference character 39, which are secured to the vertical posts 36 in any well known manner. The lower ends of the chutes 3! are provided with the usual pivoted ice deflector trays, generally indicated by the reference character 56 and each is provided with an operating handle 4i so that the crushed ice may be discharged into either one of the hopper openings 42 or 43 of the respective refrigerator cars 15 or 16 on the opposite sides of the dock.

Positioned below and secured to the platform 28 and main frame of the icing machine, are two horizontally spaced apart and vertically extending plates 44 which are positioned on the opposite edges of substantially square opening in the platform above which an ice breaking and crushing mechanism hereinafter more fully described, is positioned. Positioned between the two plates 44 are oppositely disposed and outwardly diverging crushed ice troughs 45 0f channel-like cross section which have their bottoms converging upwardly toward one another and meet at an apex, as shown at 46, at a point directly below the center of the ice breaking and crushing mechanism so that the crushed ice may fall by gravity into one or the other chutes through the medium of a gate hereinafter described. The outer ends of these troughs 45 are in alignment with their respective ice chutes 3| for discharging the crushed ice laterally of the icing machine. A pivoted gate 41 for diverting the crushed ice to either chute is secured to a shaft 48 which, in turn, is journaled in suitable apertures to the opposite plates 44. Secured to one end of the shaft 48 is a gear 49 which is adapted to mesh with the teeth of a reciprocating rack 50. The rack 50 is reciprocally mounted in guide brackets 5|, which, in turn, are secured to one of the side plates 44. The rack bar 50 is provided with right angularly and upwardly extending arm 52 which extends through a longitudinal slot 53 in an extension of the platform 28. The upper end of the arm is provided with an operating handle 54 through the medium of which the rack bar may be actuated to swing the gate 41 through an arc of substantially for directing the crushed ice into one or the other of the chutes.

One of the novel features of the present invention is the provision of oppositely disposed and longitudinally extending inclined ice block elevating and conveying mechanism in combination with a longitudinally and centrally disposed ice breaking and crushing mechanisms so that the icing machine may be operated in either direction on the elevated icing platform or dock for elevating and conveying the ice blocks to the ice crushing mechanism and discharge the ice in the hoppers of the refrigerator cars on either side of the platform. This novel arrangement includes two oppositely disposed and upwardly inclined elevating and conveying troughs, generally indicated by the reference characters 55 and 56. These conveyor troughs are preferably of the channel-like cross section and comprise upper and lower angle members 51 and 58 on the opposite sides thereof. A portion of the angle members 51 and 58 are curved, as shown at 59, and terminate in an inclined slope as shown at 60 to a point adjacent the ice breaking and crushing mechanism, generally indicated by the reference character 6|. These elevating and conveying troughs 55 and 56 are provided with opposite side walls 62 and bottoms 63. Mounted throughout substantially the entire inclined portion of the conveyor troughs 55 and 56 are two spaced apart endless conveyor belts 64. The conveyor belts are provided with the usual sharp ice block engaging lugs 65 which are uniformally spaced apart throughout the entire length of the belts. The elevating and conveying belts 64 for each of these troughs 55 and 56 are trained about rollers 66 at their lower ends, which, in turn, are journaled in suitable brackets 61 secured to the lower opposite angle members 58. The upper portions of each of the endless conveyor and elevator belts 64 are trained about spaced apart sprocket wheels 68. The sprocket wheels 68 are secured verse top 76. h I N comprises briefly, two horizontally spaced apart to transverse shafts 69 which, in turn, are journaled in the upper ends of spaced apart pairs of vertical posts 10, the lower ends of which are secured to the opposite longitudinally extending main frame channel members 21. The upper ends of these opposite pairs of posts are secured to and form supports for the oppositely disposed elevating conveying troughs 55 and 56 as clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. Secured to each of the shafts 69 are sheaves 'l about which are trained drive belts 12 The belts 12 are trained about pulleys or drive sheaves which are mounted on one end of a drive shaft of each of the electric motors, generally indicated by the reference character 73. These electric motors are mounted on the opposite sides of the platform 23 and can be individually controlled from the operators station on the machine in the manner 'well understood in the art. The opposite ends of the ice block elevator troughs 55 and 5B are each provided with oppositely disposed-carrying wheels, generally indicated by the reference character 14.

Another essential feature of the present invention involves the position and location of the ice breaking and crushing mechanism B-i which is located substantially in the center of the mabreaking and crushing mechanism 61 for crushing the iceinto chunks and discharging the same into either one of the oppositely disposed troughs 45 from where it is discharged through the chute to the hoppers of the refrigerator carson either side of the platform. The ice breaking and crushing mechanism in this instance comprises a frame structure which includes two oppositely disposed vertical sides and a trans- The ice crusher in thi instance and vertically xtending 'pronged cylinders, general ly indicated by the reference character ll and lB. Each of these cylinders 11 and F8 are secured to vertical shafts 19 which are 'journaled in suitable bearings'secured to two spaced apart t'ransversechannel members 80. Secured to the upper ends of each of the cylinder shafts 1 9 are bevelled gears '81 which mesh with and are adapted to be operatively driven by beveled pinions'EZ. The pinions82'a're secured to ash'a'ft tiiofa reversible driving electric motor, generally indicated by the reference character 84. The

motor 84 is mounted on a suitable "support on the top "16 of the ice breaker and crusher housing 6!.

It will be readily seen thatbyhaving two-oppositely disposed elevating-and conveying troughs 55 and-56 in alignment witha centrally located ice breaking and crushing mechanism located therebetween, the icing machine may be propelled in either direction and elevate ice blocks either side of the same to the bunkers of the refrigerator cars on theopposite 'sidesOf'theclevator platform.

"The icing machine is p'ropelled on 'the tracks chine and in longitudinal alignment with the 2 0 on the platform 10 by an electric motor, generally indicated by the reference character 85 which is geared to and operatively drives a transverse shaft 86 by a drive belt 81. The drive belt, in turn, is trained about a sheave 88 secured to the shaft 86. The shaft 86 is journaled in suitable bearings secured to the opposite fram members 22. Secured adjacent the outer ends of the shaft 86 are sprocket wheels 89 about which is trained drive chains 90. The drive chains 91), in turn, are trained about sprocket wheels 9| which, in turn, are secured to shafts 92. The shafts 92 are journaled in the opposite channel members 25. Secured to the shaft 92 are two or the carrying wheels 26 which are adapted to engage the tracks for propelling the machine in either direction on the platform.

In the first modified form, substantially the same ice block elevating and conveying mechanism which elevates the ice blocks from the platform to the icing machine proper are arranged in oppositely disposed position similar to the machine of the preferred form. The elevated platform or deck construct-ion and similar parts in the modified form 'carry the same reference characters as those in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings. In this modified form shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings, the main frame includes two spaced apart transversely extending horizontal main frame members '93 reinforced "and secured together by a plurality of laterally spaced apart longitudinal frame members M. Depending from the outside frame members M on each side of the machine are vertically depending spaced apart legs or angle members 95 which are secured to laterally spaced apart horizontal truck frame members 96. Journaled between the truck frame members 96 are the usual carrying or track wheels 91 which are adapted to engage the tracks 2!) on the opposite sides of the platform M. Extending in opposite directions --from the center of the machine and in alignment with the ice block platform conveyor 8, are two oppositely disposed and upwardly inclined elevating and conveying troughs 98 which are similar to and perform similar functions as th conveying troughs 55 and 56 in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings of the preferred form. These conveying troughs are provided with the usual conveying -mechanism, generally indicated by the reference character 9.9,each of which are operativelydriven in a manner well understood in the art by separate electric motors, generally indicated 'by the reference character tilt. The upper ends of the opposite side walls of each of the elevating and conveying troughs 98 diverge and'curve outwardly, as shown at 01, at points approaching the center ofthe mainframe of the machine and form in effect two oppositely and laterally projecting troughs, as shown at we. Thesetroughs W2 are channel shape in cross section and are formed by bottoms 103 and opposite side walls I04. Mounted in each of these troughs 102 .is an endless conveyor belt, generally indicated by the reference character ['65. The oppositely disposed-ice block conveyor belts we are provided with the usual lugs tilt for conveying the ice blocks therealong. Each of the conveyor chains 105 are trained about suitable sprocket wheels 1'01 and oneof these sprocket wheels for :each conveyor chain .is 'operatively driven by a separate electric motor (not shown) in any well known manner.

One "of the novel features of this modified form is the positioning :of separate lice :breaking and crushing mechanisms at locations adjacent the outer sides of the icing machine and having a centrally located ice block deflector or gate which can be adjusted for deflecting the ice blocks coming up from the ice block elevating and conveying mechanisms on either end of the machine. This gate deflects the ice blocks laterally to the separate or individual ice block breaking and crushing mechanism and then discharges the crushed ice laterally into the hoppers of the adjacent railway refrigerator cars on the opposite sides of the platform. This mechanism comprises two separate ice breaking and crushing mechanisms, generally indicated by the reference characters I98 and I39. These ice breaking and crushing mechanisms comprise two horizonta-lly spaced and vertically extending pronged cylinders I It. These cylinders III) are positioned on the opposite sides of each of the troughs I02 so that the prongs thereof are adapted to protrude through a plurality of vertically spaced apart slots III in th opposite side walls I04 of the troughs I512. The prongs of these cylinders IIG are adapted to project into th path of the ice blocks and crush the ice therebetween into uniform chunks before discharging it into the chutes 3! from where it is conveyed into the hopper of the refrigerator cars. In order to deflect the ice blocks laterally from either of the oppositely disposed ice block elevating and conveying mechanisms 39, a centrally located deflector or gate, generally indicated by the reference character II2 is provided. The gate H2 is located in the center of the machin and in the path of travel of the ice blocks being elevated by either elevating mechanism. This deflector or gate II2 comprises a plurality of vertically spaced apart curved arms II3 which are secured to a vertically extending shaft I I4. J ournaled in suitable bearings I I5 and I I6 secured to the main frame. Vertically extending posts II'I supports an operators station or platform IIB. Secured to the upper end of the shaft I I4 is a hand wheel II9 which is provided with an operating handle I29 and a spring latch, generally indicated by the reference character I2I, carried by a transverse bar I22 locks the wheel in various positions of adjustment for securing the gate in any one of the four positions.

The ice breaking and crushing mechanisms I08 are provided with separate electric motors, generally indicated by the reference character I23, which are supported on U-shaped supplemental frame members I24 which, in turn, are secured to the opposite main frame members 93. The machine is propelled along the tracks 23 of the platform ill by an electric motor and a reduction gearing mechanism indicated respectively by the reference characters I25 and I26. This transmission mechanism is geared to and operatively drives a transverse shaft I21 which is mounted in suitable bearings I28 secured to one of the main frame members 93. The shaft is geared to two of the traction wheels 91 by suitable sheaves and an endless belt, generally indicated by the reference character I28. Suitable separate control boxes, generally indicated by the reference characters I33 and I3 I, are mounted on the upper end of certain of the vertical posts III 50 that easy access thereto may be had from the operators platform or station II8 on the machine.

From the above description it will be obvious that this modified form, like the construction shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, can be moved and operated in either direction on the platform I0 and can pick up the ice blocks and elevate them and direct them to the icing machin proper from either end thereof. This particular feature is, of course, common to both forms thus far described. The distinguishing feature of this modified form is that the ice blocks can be diverted laterally in either direction from either elevating mechanism to the separate and laterally positioned ice breaking and crushing mechanism from where the crushed ice is discharged through the chutes to the hoppers on the refrigerator cars on either side of the platform.

In the second modified form of my invention shown in Figs. 7 and 8 of the drawings, the feature common to all these forms includes the oppositely disposed elevating or transferring mechanism which permits the machine to operate in, either direction for picking up the ice blocks from the platform to the ice crushing and breaking mechanism. In this last modification, the machine comprises a main frame, generally indicated by the reference character I30. This main frame comprises three laterally spaced apart and longitudinally extending main frame I-beams I3I, I32 and I33 of different height or elevation. Journaled on the lower side of these I-beams are two transversely extending spaced apart axles I34 which are journaled in bearing brackets I35 secured to the Ibeams. Secured to the outer ends of the shaft I34 are grooved wheels I36 which are adapted to engage one of the tracks 20 of the platform II]. The other ends of the axles I34 have secured thereon fiat wheels I3! which are adapted to ride on the fiat platform I4 of the dock l0. Supported on top of the I-beam frame members I3I, I32 and I33 are inclined channel supplemental frame members I38. Supported on the inclined channel members I38 is an inclined ice block conveying trough, generally indicated by the reference character I39 which is arranged transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the travel of the machine. This trough I39 is substantially U-shaped in cross section and comprises an inwardly and downwardly inclined bottom I43 and opposite vertical side walls I4l. Mounted adjacent the outer end of thetrough I39 is an ice breaking and crushing mechanism, generally indicated by the reference character I42. This ice breaking and crushing mechanism comprises a slightly inclined rectangular housing which includes opposite side members I43, enclosure members I44 and a top closure member I45. Journaled in suitable upper and lower bearings I46 and I4"! respectively, are two laterally spaced apart ice crushing prong cylinders, generally indicated by the reference character I43. These cylinders I43 are secured to and are rotatably driven by shafts I49 whose axes are inclined at an angle with respect to the vertical so as to be at right angles with respect to the plane of the bottom I on the trough I39. The prongs of these cylinders project through suitable slots I50 located in the opposite sides I4I of the trough I39 so as to project into the path of travel of the ice blocks for crushing the same. Each of the shafts I49 are provided with bevelled gears I5I (only one of which is shown) which mesh with and are 0peratively driven by bevelled gears I52 which, in turn, are secured to a longitudinally extending shaft I53. The shaft I53 is journaled in suitable bearings on the main frame (not shown) and is operatively' driven by an electric motor,

9: generally indicated by the reference character I54. The electric motor I54 is suitably supported on the I-beams I3I, I32 and I33, as clearly shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings. Secured to the shaft I53 in alignment with the transverse center of the trough I39 is a drive sprocket wheel or sheave I55 about which is trained an endless conveyor belt I56. The belt I56 is provided with spaced apart ice block engaging lugs I51. The inner end of the belt is trained about a pulley or wheel I58. The pulley I58 is journaled on a shaft I59 which, in turn, is suitably supported in bearing brackets I66 secured to the main frame of the machine. The bottom I46 of the trough I39 is provided with a longitudinally extending slot I6I through which the lugs I51 pro- J'ect in engaging and conveying the ice blocks therealong. The side walls MI of the trough I39 diverge outwardly in the arc of a circle, as shown at I62, and the upper inner edges thereof form a longitudinally aligned pivotal support or hinge, as shown at I63, for pivotally supporting two oppositely diverging ice block transferring troughs, generally indicated by the reference characters I64 and I65. These transferring troughs I64 and I65 have their receiving ends in longitudinal alignment with the ice block conveying mechanism I8 of the platform it as disclosed in Figs. 7 and 8 of the drawings, so that the machine may be moved in either direction on the platform I6 to transfer or elevate and convey ice blocks from the platform to the ice breaking and crushing mechanism in the manner hereinafter described. These ice block transferring troughs I64 and I65 are rigidly secured together as an integral member and comprise upwardly inclined and curved bottoms I65 and inner curved vertical side walls I61 which, in effect, are a continuation of the arc of the same circle of the curved walls I62 of the trough I39. The other walls of the ice block transferring troughs I64 and H55 are arcuately curved toward the machine as shown at I68 and terminate, as shown at I69, at points spaced from one another. Secured to the top edges of the curved walls I68 and the bottom edges thereof are two vertically spaced apart substantially triangular plates I10 to which are pivotally attached at I1!) a curved pointed deflector or gate I1I. When the ice blocks are conveyed or transferred from the platform conveyor chain I8 of the dock I6 to the transfer trough I64 or I65, the next succeeding ice block will force the previous one forward and the curved gate will be actuated to the full line position or dotted line position, depending on which way the ice block is being conveyed toward the machine. The gate I1I will then, obviously, deflect the ice block into the trough I39, where it will be engaged by the conveyor chain I56 and conveyed toward the ice crushing and breaking mechanism I42. Stops or lugs I12 are located on the opposite sides to engage opposite projections I13 on the gate I1I to. limit the pivotal movement thereof so as to properly direct the ice blocks in their path of travel. These lugs I12 are secured to a reinforcing angle I14 secured to the outside of the transfer troughs 1'64 and I65.

If the operator desires to displace or lift the conveyor troughs I64 and IE5, a Windlass, generally indicated by the reference character I15, may be actuated. The Windlass may be operated by a suitable electric motor (not shown) secured to and mounted on the top I45 of the housing. This Windlass is mounted on the top N5 of the ice breaker and crusher I42 and is provided with a cable I16 which is connected, as shown at I11, to an arm I18 which, in turn, is secured to reinforcing frame member I12 of the transfer troughs I64 and I65. Obviously if the operator desires to raise or elevate the transfer troughs I64 and I65 from the full line position shown in Fig. 8 to the dotted line position shown therein, the Windlass I15 may be actuated for accomplishing this purpose.

An electric motor, generally indicated by the reference character I16, is suitably supported on the I-beams I3I and I32 of the main frame and connected by suitable gearing, generally shown at I80, for operatively driving the shaft I34 for propelling the icing machine longitudinally of the dock in either direction.

An operators platform, generally indicated by the reference character I 8|, is surrounded by vertical and horizontal guard rails I82. Suitable control means (not shown) may be positioned on the platform for controlling the operation of all of the motors.

From the above description it will be readily seen that the device disclosed in this second modified form, as shown in Figs. '1 and 8 of the drawings, provides a very simple, compact and relatively low ice crushing machine and one which will extend only over one-half the normal width of the elevated platform, but at the same time, can be propelled or operated in either direction to transfer the ice blocks from the ice block conveyor chain on the platform when the machine is moved in either direction of the platform.

Summarizing the advantages and functions of operation of the preferred form and the two modifications of my invention as disclosed in the drawings, it will immediately be apparent that by providing a machine which is capable of operating in either direction on the conventional dock or elevated platform so as to transfer the ice blocks from the platform to the ice crushing and breaking mechanism, the machine may be used in a wide range of situations and unusual conditions encountered in ice servicing stations throughout the country. The icing machine of the present invention is not only a universal one, but one which will dispense with the necessity of requiring two machines of the type heretofore constructed. The machine of the present invention effects a major saving in the equipment and accomplishes a simplification of the structure as well as economy in operation.

While in the above specification I have described one preferred embodiment and two modifications which my invention may assume in practice, it will, of course, be understood that other modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the following claims.

What I claim as my invention and desire to se cure by Letters Patent is:

l, A refrigerator car icing machine comprising a. portable main frame movable on tracks between oppositely disposed trains of refrigerator cars to be iced, two oppositely disposed ice block transferring means carried by said main frame, an ice breaking and crushing unit carried by said frame, and a laterally disposed distributing means carried by said frame for discharging the crushed ice from the ice breaking and crushing unit laterally of said machine to the bunkers of 11 the refrigerator cars on the opposite sides of said machine.

2. A refrigerator car icing machine comprising a longitudinally extending wheeled main frame movable on tracks between oppositely disposed trains of refrigerator cars to be iced, two longitudinally extending and oppositely disposed aligned ice block conveying and guiding means carried by said main frame, an ice breaking and crushing mechanism mounted on said main frame, and a laterally disposed distributing means carried by said frame for receiving the ice crushed by said ice breaking and crushing mechanism and discharging the same laterally of said machine to the bunkers of the refrigerator cars on the opposite sides of said machine.

3. A refrigerator car icing machine comprising a wheeled main frame movable between two lines of refrigerator cars to be iced, two oppositely disposed ice block transferring troughs mounted on said frame and extending in longitudinal alignment with one another for guiding ice blocks toward said machine, ice breaking and crushing mechanism mounted on said frame for crushing the ice blocks into suitable crushed chunks, and oppositely disposed chutes carried by said frame for receiving the crushed ice from said breaking and crushing mechanism and discharging the crushed ice laterally of said machine into the bunkers of said refrigeratorcars on the opposite sides of said machine.

4. A refrigerator car icing machine comprising a wheeled frame movable between two lines of refrigerator cars to be iced, upwardly inclined transferring troughs mounted on the opposite ends of said frame for conveying and guiding ice blocks toward the transverse center of said machine, ice breaking and crushing mechanism mounted on said wheeled frame for crushing the ice blocks into uniform ice chunks, and oppositely disposed chutes pivoted on said wheeled frame for receiving the crushed ice from the ice breaking and crushing mechanism and discharging the crushed ice laterally of said machine into the bunkers of said refrigerator cars on the opposite sides of said machine.

5. A refrigerator car icing machine comprising a wheeled frame movable longitudinally between two trains of refrigerator cars to be iced, upwardly inclined ice block transferring troughs mounted on the opposite ends of said wheeled frame and located in longitudinal alignment with one another for transferring ice blocks onto said machine from either direction of movement of the machine, ice breaking and crushing mechanism mounted on said wheeled frame for crushing the ice into uniform sized chunks, and laterally extending ice chutes pivoted to said wheeled frame for receiving the crushed ice from said ice breaking and crushing mechanism and discharging the same laterally of the machine into the bunkers of the refrigerator cars on the opposite sides of said machine.

6. A refrigerator car icing machine comprising a wheeled frame movable longitudinally between two trains of refrigerator cars to be iced, upwardly inclined ice block transferring troughs mounted on the opposite ends of said wheeled frame and located in longitudinal alignment with one another for transferring ice blocks onto said machine from either direction of movement of the machine, ice breaking and crushing mechanism mounted on said wheeled frame and located in longitudinal alignment with said troughs for crushing the ice into uniform sized,

chunks, and transversely extending chutes pivoted to the opposite sides of said wheeled frame for receiving the crushed ice from said ice breaking and crushing mechanism and discharging the same laterally of said machine into the bunkers of the refrigerator cars on the opposite sides of said machine,

7. A refrigerator car icing machine comprising a wheeled frame, movable longitudinally between two trains of refrigerator cars to be iced, upwardly inclined transferring troughs mounted on the opposite ends of said wheeled frame and located in longitudinal alignment with one another for conveying and guiding ice blocks toward the transverse center of said machine, ice breaking and crushing mechanism mounted on said wheeled frame and located in longitudinal alignment with said troughs for crushing the ice into uniform chunks, and transversely extending chutes pivoted to the opposite sides of said wheeled frame for receiving the crushed ice from said ice breakin and crushing mechanism and discharging the same laterally of said machine into the bunkers of the refrigerator cars on the opposite sides of said machine.

8. A refrigerator car icing machine comprising a wheeled frame movable on tracks between two trains of refrigerator cars to be iced, upwardly inclined transferring troughs mounted on the opposite ends of said wheeled frame and located in longitudinal alignment with one another for conveying and guiding ice blocks toward the transverse center of said machine, ice breaking and crushing mechanism mounted on said wheeled frame and located in longitudinal alignment with said troughs for crushing the ice into uniform chunks, transversely extending chutes pivoted to the opposite sides of the wheeled frame and having their upper ends converging in an apex beneath said ice breaking and crushing mechanism for discharging the crushed ice laterally of said machine and into the bunkers of the refrigerator cars on either side of said machine, and a swinging gate mounted adjacent the apex of said chutes for directing the crushed ice into either of said chutes.

9. A refrigerator car icing machine comprising a Wheeled frame movable on tracks between two trains of refrigerator cars to be iced, upwardly inclined and longitudinally extending ice block transferring troughs mounted on the opposite ends of the wheeled frame for conveying and guiding ice blocks on said machine, transverse ice block troughs mounted on said wheeled frame and connected to said first named troughs to receive ice blocks from either of the two first mentioned troughs, ice breaking and crushing mechanisms mounted in each of the transverse troughs, and laterally projecting chutes pivoted to said wheeled frame for receiving crushed ice from said ice breaking and crushing mechanism and discharging the same laterally of said machine and into the bunkers of the refrigerator cars on either side of said machine.

10. A refrigerator car icing machine comprising a wheeled frame movable on tracks between two trains of refrigerator cars to be iced, upwardly inclined and longitudinally extending ice block transferring troughs mounted on the opposite ends of the wheeled frame for conveying and guiding ice blocks on said machine, transverse ice block troughs mounted on said wheeled frame and connected to said first named troughs to receive ice blocks from either of the two first mentioned troughs, ice breaking and crushing mechanisms mounted in each of the transverse troughs, laterally projecting chutes pivoted to said wheeled frame for receiving crushed ice from said ice breaking and crushing mechanism and discharging the same laterally of said machine and into the bunkers of the refrigerator cars on either side of said machine, and a defiector mounted on. said wheeled frame at the intersection of all of said troughs for deflecting ice blocks from either of the inclined troughs to either of the transverse troughs.

11. A refrigerator car icing machine comprising a wheeled frame movable on tracks between two trains of refrigerator cars to be iced, upwardly inclined and longitudinally extending, ice block transferring troughs mounted on the opposite ends of the. wheeled frame for conveying and guiding ice blocks on said machine, transverse ice block troughs mounted on said wheeled frame and connected to said first named troughs to receive ice blocks from either of the two first mentioned troughs, ice breaking and crushing mechanism-s mounted in each of the transverse troughs, laterally projecting chutes pivoted to said wheeled frame for receiving crushed ice from said ice breaking and crushing mechanism and discharging the same laterally of said machine and into the bunkers of the refrigerator cars on either side of said machine, and an adjustable deflector mounted on said Wheeled frame and located in the path of travel of the ice blocks for directing the ice blocks into either of the ice breaking and crushing mechanisms.

12. A refrigerator car icing machine comprising a wheeled frame movable longitudinally between oppositely disposed lines of refrigerator cars to be iced, upwardly inclined and longitudinally extending troughs mounted on the opposite ends of said frame, a conveyor mounted in each of said troughs for conveying ice blocks thereon, oppositely disposed transverse troughs forming lateral extensions of said first named troughs, conveyors mounted in each of said transverse troughs, a deflector mounted on said frame and located in the path of travel of the ice blocks for deflecting the ice blocks laterally in either direction from either of the longitudinal troughs, an ice breaking and crushing mechanism mounted adjacent the outer ends of each of the transverse troughs for crushing ice blocks into chunks of uniform size, and oppositely disposed ice chutes pivoted to the opposite sides of said frame below each of said ice breaking and crushing mechanisms for discharging the crushed ice laterally in either direction from said machine into the bunkers of the refrigerator cars on either side of said machine.

13. A refrigerator car icing machine comprising a wheeled frame movable longitudinally between oppositely disposed lines of refrigerator cars to be iced, conveying and elevating means mounted on the opposite ends of said frame for conveying and elevating ice blocks onto said frame from either end thereof whereby the machine may operate in either direction of travel, transversely and oppositely disposed conveying mechanisms mounted on said frame for conveying the ice blocks laterally in either direction from said first named conveying and elevating means, ice breaking and crushing mechanisms mounted adjacent the delivery ends of each of the transversely disposed conveying mechanisms, and laterally extending chutes pivotally connected to said frame for discharging the crushed ice laterally of said machine into the bunkers of 14 the. refrigerator cars on either side of said machine.

14. A refrigerator car icing machine comprising a wheeled frame movable longitudinally between oppositely disposed lines of refrigerator cars to be iced, conveying and elevating means mounted on the opposite ends of said frame for conveying and elevating ice blocks onto said frame from either end thereof whereby the machine may operate in either direction of travel, transversely and oppositely disposed conveying mechanisms mounted on said frame for conveying the ice blocks laterally in either direction from said first named conveying and elevating means, ice breaking and crushing mechanisms mounted adjacent the delivery ends of each of the transversely disposed conveying mechanisms, laterally extending chutes pivotally connected to said frame for discharging the crushed ice laterally of said machine into the bunkers of the refrigerator cars on the opposite sides of said machine, and a movable gate mounted on said frame and located in the path of travel of the ice blocks for deflecting the ice blocks laterally from either of said elevating and conveying means to either of the transversely disposed conveying mechanisms.

15. A refrigerator car icing machine comprising a wheeled frame movable longitudinally between oppositely disposed lines of refrigerator cars to be iced, conveying and elevating means mounted on the opposite ends of said frame for conveying and elevating ice blocks onto said frame from either end thereof whereby the machine may operate in either direction of travel, transversely and oppositely disposed conveying mechanisms mounted on said frame for conveying the ice blocks laterally in either direction from said first named conveying and elevating means, ice breaking and crushing mechanisms mounted adjacent the delivery ends of each of the transversely disposed conveying mechanisms, laterally extending chutes pivotally connected to said frame for discharging the crushed ice laterally of said machine into the bunkers of the refrigerator cars on the opposite sides of said machine, an operators station mounted on said frame, and means operable from said station and connected to said gate for adjusting said gate and controlling the direction of travel of the ice blocks on said machine.

16. A refrigerator car icing machine comprising a wheeled frame movable in either of two directions parallel to and adjacent a train of refrigerator cars to be iced, oppositely disposed and upwardly inclined ice block transferring troughs mounted on said wheeled frame, a laterally extending and upwardly inclined ice block conveying trough communicating with said first named troughs for receiving ice blocks from either of said first named troughs and conveying them laterally of said machine, an ice breaking and crushing mechanism mounted on the outer end of said laterally extending trough for crushing the ice conveyed thereto, and a laterally extending chute pivoted on said wheeled frame for discharging the crushed ice laterally of said machine into the bunkers of the adjacent train of refrigerator cars.

1'7. A refrigerator car icing machine comprising a wheeled frame movable in either of two directions parallel to and adjacent a train of refrigerator cars to be iced, oppositely disposed and upwardly inclined ice block transferring troughs mounted on said wheeled frame, a laterally extending and upwardly inclined ice block conveying trough communicating with said first named troughs for receiving ice blocks from either of said first named troughs and conveying them laterally of said machine, an ice breaking and crushing mechanism mounted on the outer end of said laterally extending trough for crushing the ice conveyed thereto, a laterally extending chute pivoted on said Wheeled frame for discharging the crushed ice laterally of said machine into the bunkers of the adjacent train of refrigerator cars, and means for pivotally connecting the oppositely disposed troughs whereby said last named trough may be displaced with respect to the other troughs.

18. A refrigerator car icing machine comprising a Wheeled frame movable in either of two directions parallel to and adjacent a train of refrigerator cars to be iced, oppositely disposed and upwardly inclined ice block transferring troughs mounted on said wheeled frame, a laterally extending and upwardly inclined ice block conveying trough communicating with said first named troughs for receiving ice blocks from either of said first named troughs and conveying them laterally of said machine, an ice breaking and crushing mechanism mounted on the outer end of said laterally extending trough for crushing the ice conveyed thereto, a laterally extending chute pivoted on said Wheeled frame for discharging the crushed ice laterally of said machine into the bunkers of the adjacent train of refrigerator cars, and longitudinally extending aligned hinges pivotally connecting the oppositely disposed troughs to said laterally extending trough whereby said last named trough may be displaced with respect to said machine.

19. A refrigerator car icing machine comprising a wheeled frame movable in either of two directions parallel to and adjacent a train of refrigerator cars to be iced, oppositely directed and. longitudinally extending transferring means mounted on said frame for guiding ice blocks onto said machine, a laterally extending guiding means mounted on said frame for receiving ice blocks from either of said first named means, an

endless conveyor mounted in said laterally ex-- tending guiding means for conveying ice blocks laterally of said machine, ice breaking and crushing mechanism located at the outer end of the laterally extending guiding means for crushing the ice blocks into uniform sized chunks, and a laterally extending chute pivoted to said frame for delivering the crushed ice laterally of said machine into the bunkers of the adjacent train of refrigerator cars.

20. A refrigerator car icing machine comprising a wheeled frame movable in either of two directions parallel to and adjacent a train of refrigerator cars to be iced, oppositely directed and longitudinally extending transferring means mounted on said frame for guiding ice blocks onto said machine, a laterally extending guiding means mounted on said frame for receiving ice blocks from either of said first named means, an endless conveyor mounted in said laterally extending guiding means for conveying ice blocks laterally of said machine, ice breaking and crushing mechanism located at the outer end of the laterally extending guiding means for crushing the ice blocks into uniform sized chunks, a laterally extending chute pivoted to said frame for delivering the crushed ice laterally of said machine into the bunkers of the adjacent train of refrigerator cars, and a deflector mounted between the opposite transferring means and located in the path of travel of said ice blocks for directing the ice blocks from either of said opposite transferring means to the laterally extending guiding means.

HAROLD O. McLAIN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 739,962 Werner Sept. 29, 1903 761,320 Porter, Jr. May 31, 1904 1,506,907 Jackson Sept. 2, 1924 2,063,431 Grayson et al Dec. 8, 1936 2,078,379 Grayson et al Apr. 27, 1937 

